On March 22nd, 2023, Wednesday, Australia wrapped the tour to India on a high as they defeated India in the final ODI match to clinch the three-match series 2-1. Australia won the toss and opted to bat first and made a competitive 269 runs in 49 overs against India. Steve Smith’s Aussies were crowned as the number 1 team in the ICC Men’s ODI team Ranking after Australia defeated India by 21 runs in the final ODI. Chennai’s MA Chidambaram Stadium witnessed the final ODI match between India and Australia. .  

Marking the beginning of the series, the first game showcased a dominant performance by India, the hosts but Australia, the visitors were ruthless to take revenge in the next match. Kuldeep Yadav and Hardik Pandya led India’s attack and scalped three wickets each, then India in response got off to a strong start as Rohit Sharma and Shubham Gill added 65 runs for the opening wicket. Hardik Pandya played a fighting run with a ball of 40, while Virat Kohli contributed 50 runs and completed his half-century. Meanwhile, India’s losing wickets at regular intervals kept Australia in the game. Leg-spinner Adam Zampa scalped four wickets in his overs as well as his teammate Ashton Agar scalped two wickets against India, both wickets came in his final overs. 

It was the most important and a must-win match for India as their record was at stake in the third ODI at their proud home. Also, the rain was likely to play a major role in Chennai. Meanwhile, after the change in the batting lineup, Surya Kumar Yadav was struggling in the first two games, but again he missed the golden opportunity for the third consecutive time. 

The 21-run win takes Australia marginally ahead of India at the top, with the visitors racking up 113.286 rating points as compared to the Men in Blue’s 112.638, before the beginning of the final ODI. 

Australia was made to work hard for their win against India, after a cakewalk in Visakhapatnam but managed to defeat Rohit Sharma’s team to claim the series with 2-1. Australia’s opener Travis Head and Mitchell Marsh started off the innings well with a partnership of 68 runs, but India’s all-rounder Hardik Pandya swung the tide in India’s favour by dismissing both the openers. Marnus Labuschagne and David Warner failed to score big. The ODI series of three matches, won by Australia with 21-runs. This is India’s first series defeat at home since 2019, they had previously lost to Australia too with 3-2 in an ODI series back in March 2019.